Flick a coin. Draw straws. Maybe even decide on colours. They are all valid options when picking a winner in week one of the NRL finals according to the boys on the In the Clear NRL Podcast Co-host Chris Boulous was joined by St George &amp; Sutherland Shire Leader sports editor Andrew Parkinson for this week’s episode to preview the most open competition in recent memory. “Every game could go either way. I think the Warriors could be the surprise packet. The finals always dish up a fairytale run and it wouldn’t surprise me if someone wins the competition from outside the top four,” Boulous said. “I think more than ever getting a week off is vital. It makes week one even more important.” Parkinson agreed and said a Sharks win could catapult them into favouritism. “It’s that close. If the Storm win, it would also see them being beat in Melbourne,” he said. “I also wouldn’t rule out the Dragons with Gareth Widdop back.” Also on this week’s shows the boys debate the merits of “home finals” being played at ANZ Stadium and talk about the upcoming internationals at the end of the year. “There is still a whole finals series to go, but Mal Meninga has some headaches. The biggest one is who plays No.7,” Parkinson said. Boulous: Roosters, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Warriors Parkinson: Sharks, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Panthers

NRL finals week one preview, plus all the latest footy news on the In The Clear NRL Podcast

Aiming high: Can the Sharks win the competition from fourth? Picture: AAP

Flick a coin. Draw straws. Maybe even decide on colours.

They are all valid options when picking a winner in week one of the NRL finals according to the boys on the In the Clear NRL Podcast

Co-host Chris Boulous was joined by St George & Sutherland Shire Leader sports editor Andrew Parkinson for this week’s episode to preview the most open competition in recent memory.

“Every game could go either way. I think the Warriors could be the surprise packet. The finals always dish up a fairytale run and it wouldn’t surprise me if someone wins the competition from outside the top four,” Boulous said.

“I think more than ever getting a week off is vital. It makes week one even more important.”

Parkinson agreed and said a Sharks win could catapult them into favouritism.

“It’s that close. If the Storm win, it would also see them being beat in Melbourne,” he said.

“I also wouldn’t rule out the Dragons with Gareth Widdop back.”

Also on this week’s shows the boys debate the merits of “home finals” being played at ANZ Stadium and talk about the upcoming internationals at the end of the year.

“There is still a whole finals series to go, but Mal Meninga has some headaches. The biggest one is who plays No.7,” Parkinson said.